Moroccan Badou Zaki has been appointed to coach the Jordanian national football team on a one-year contract, replacing his compatriot Jamal Salami who lost his position after elimination from the first round of the 2026 World Cup, according to the local football federation announced on Sunday.

The Jordanian Football Association said in a statement a copy of which reached AFP: "The Board of Directors of the Jordan Football Association, chaired by Prince Ali bin Hussein, decided to appoint Moroccan coach Badou Zaki as head coach of the first national team to lead Al-Nashama in upcoming competitions, foremost of which is the Asian Cup finals to be held in Saudi Arabia in early 2027."

The Jordanian Federation parted ways with Salami after the first participation of Al-Nashama in the World Cup, which concludes on Sunday with the final between defending champion Argentina and Spain, with three defeats: 1-3 to Austria, 1-2 to Algeria, and 1-3 to Argentina.

Salami's contract, the former coach of Raja Casablanca and Fath in Morocco, was set to expire after the 2027 Asian Cup.

The Jordanian Federation added in its statement on Sunday: "The announcement of the contract with Moroccan coach Badou Zaki, on a one-year contract, comes after the Board of Directors approved during its meeting the acceptance of the resignation of national team coach Jamal Salami and the assistant technical staff, while extending thanks and appreciation to them for their efforts during the past period. The new coach of Al-Nashama will be introduced along with the announcement of the technical staff according to Zaki's recommendation."

Zaki has a distinguished career as a player and coach. He led the Moroccan national team to an unprecedented achievement in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico by reaching the Round of 16. He was also crowned African Player of the Year in 1986, and had an outstanding career with Spanish side Real Mallorca.

On the coaching front, Zaki led the Moroccan national team to the final of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations. He also coached a number of clubs, most notably Wydad Athletic, Fath Rabat, Kawkab Marrakech, Ittihad Tanger, in addition to the national teams of Sudan and Niger.